Roof Snow Shovel

ABSTRACT

A roof snow shovel device and method of use are disclosed. The device may include an elongated protective component which may be attached to a shovel head or may be configured to receive at least part of an edge of a shovel head. The device may include at least one protective end unit, which may be at least partially rounded. The protective end component may at least partially extend below the lowest surface of the elongated protective component relative to the shovel head or behind the shovel head. The protective end components and/or the elongated protective component may be permanently attached to the shovel head, may be removable connected to it, or may be integral features of the shovel head. The elongated protective component may be configured for or attached to a range of sizes and shapes of shovel heads.

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/757,162 filed on Nov. 8, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a portable shovel device. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a device, and associated method of use, which can be used for moving or removing material, such as snow, from a surface, such as a roof. The device can include an entire larger device, such as a shovel, or can include components which may be combined with an existing device to create an entire larger device.

When surfaces need to be cleared of material, such as when snow needs to be removed from a roof, it can be desirable to have a device and method for removing the unwanted material while minimizing potential damage to or displacement of underlying desirable materials. In one application, a user may wish to remove snow from a roof, such as a flat roof or a slanted roof. Current methods and devices either do not provide adequate means of doing so without damaging underlying materials or barriers, move excess material which may not be desirable to have moved, such as pebbles, or risk unwanted contact with surface features such as exposed piping. Current devices feature elongated edges which are typically sharp, to cut through ice or snow, and may be used through pushing or pulling means. Such devices may cut through roofing materials, either along the elongated edge or at the corners of the device, and may damage underlying protective layers, leading to surface damage, water encroachment, and further damage from repeated weather and temperature changes.

Current devices and methods of snow and other material removal from surfaces and structures such as roofs risk damage to roofing materials, substrates, and additional surface structures which may be present. Current devices and methods of shovelling or clearing surfaces such as roofs remain inadequate for minimizing risks associated with short-term and long-term damage to roofs and their supporting and associated structures and elements.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to a portable shovel device. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a device, and associated method of use, which can be used for moving or removing material, such as snow, from a surface, such as a roof. The device can include an entire larger device, such as a shovel, or can include one or more components which may be combined with an existing device to create an entire larger device. The device may consist of a unitary, predominantly unitary, or multi-piece shovelling device, either for pushing material or for pulling material. The device may also consist of one or more components which may be added to or connected to a handle, shaft, or shovel device. The handle, shaft, or shovel device may be configured to receive one or more add-on components of the device of the present disclosure, or may be standard items to which the add-on components may be connected, either permanently or removably.

Various types, shapes, profiles, and orientations of roofs are commonly used on various structures and in various environments. Though flat roofs present significant challenges when dealing with snow build-up or the build-up of any materials which may create substantial weight and loading on a structure or be otherwise undesirable, even slanted or angled roofs can build up snow and other materials. During significant storms and during prolonged bad weather snow and other materials may build up on a roof and cause damage to the roof or to the supporting structure due to weight or, in some cases, due to providing a barrier under which moisture may be retained. If snow is not removed regularly, the build-up may also create pathways for moisture to get under, or be retained in proximity to, roofing materials. Moisture may seep under the roofing materials, causing damage to those materials during repeated freezes and thaws, expanding and contracting, or may get to underlying structures and damage those structures, such as by leaking into a building or its protective elements.

Current snow removal technologies often use shovels, either pushed or pulled by an operator or other equipment, which include edges which can puncture or tear away, over time, at protective roofing materials. They may also puncture underlying protective materials, such a roofing membranes which are commonly used beneath external roofing materials, such as tiles, stone, and asphalt, among others known in the art. They may also scrape, puncture, otherwise damage, or catch against additional elements which may be present on a roof or in proximity to it, such as skylights, air conditioning units or components, pipes, solar panels, satellite dishes and associated components, antennae, tie-downs, mounts, nails, bolts, rivets, and other features which may be present. They may also be obstructed in their use by such elements.

It should be understood that the device of the present disclosure may also be used on pathways, such as uneven rock pathways or ones containing gravel, pebbles, or other small or separate materials, roads, decks, boats, or any other surface where it may be desirable to remove materials, such as snow or debris, while minimizing the risk of puncturing, lifting, or displacing materials.

In one embodiment, the roof snow shovel includes a protective bar which may be attached to an edge of a shovel head. The bar may at least partially enclose at least a portion of the edge of the shovel head, may be attached to one surface or one edge of the shovel head, or may be attached so as to be proximate to but separate from the edge. The protective bar may be substantially or partially cylindrical, substantially or partially planar, substantially or partially curved, may have an at least partial sharp edge, may be a combination of some or all of the above, or may be a sheath. The protective bar may extend substantially or partially along some or all of the edge of the shovel head. The protective bar may also be substantially shorter than the edge of the shovel head, such as where multiple protective bars may be used along portions of the edge of the shovel head or where it may be desirable for at least some of the shovel edge to remain exposed. The protective bar may be substantially rigid, such as to resist flexion or to provide support to one or more attached components, or may be at least partially flexible, and may be made of a material such as a metal such as aluminum or a combination of metals, may be made of plastic, may be made of a hardened rubber or composite, or may be made of a combination of materials. The protective bar may be also be at least partially flexible, deformable, or compressible, such as to conform to a variety of shapes and contours of shovel heads or so as to minimize damage to roofing materials and other elements with which it may come into contact. It may be made of soft plastic, foam, soft rubber, or other materials. The protective bar may also be at least partially curved or angled or otherwise configured to match a complementary surface of a shovel head or to create a curved or recessed external surface or feature.

In one embodiment, the roof snow shovel includes one or more protective end components. Though referred to here as end components, it should be understood that the end components may be features which may be included on one or more other components, such as the protective bar. The one or more protective end components may be attached to a protective bar, or may be attached directly to the shovel head, such as along one or more sides of the shovel head. A protective end component may include one or more curved surfaces, such as rounded surfaces where the roof snow shovel is expected to come into contact with a roof or roofing material, though it may also or alternatively include an offset feature on a component which may optionally not be curved. A protective end component may also be substantially circular, spherical, such as a ball which may be attached to a protective bar or to a shovel head, or elliptical. A protective end component may be removably attached to a protective bar or to a shovel head, or may be permanently attached to or unitary with a protective bar or shovel head. A protective end component may be fixedly connected to a protective bar or shovel head, or may be rotatably connected to it.

The protective end component may be curved or rounded along one surface, such as at a bottom side relative to the use of a shovel, or at a side or edge most likely to come into contact with roofing material or features of or on a roof when in use. The protective bar may also be curved or rounded along one surface. One or both elements may include multiple curved or rounded features. The protective end component may be substantially spherical, such as a ball or ball with a flat surface which may be attached to a protective bar or shovel head. The protective end component may also be substantially circular, such as a wheel which may be attached to the protective bar or shovel head. The protective end component may be configured or attached by a means to allow for rotation of the protective end component, such as to allow for a shovel to be rolled along a surface while snow or another material is pushed, pulled, or otherwise moved.

In one embodiment, the protective bar includes a slot which is configured to slide over and at least partially surround an edge of a shovel head. When one or more protective end components are attached to the protective bar, the protective bar may be compressed so as to grip the edge of the shovel head, though it may also be attached to it through other means, such as screws, bolts, snap-fit features, or other means known in the art. The protective bar may grip the edge of the shovel head through a friction fit or through retention features. In another embodiment, the protective bar may be slid over an edge of a shovel head. When a protective end component is attached at either end of the protective bar, the protective bar is retained in connection with the shovel head.

It should be understood that the roof snow shovel may be attached to an existing shovel or other device with a substantially or at least partially planar surface, or a curved surface, such as a shovel head or an entire shovel, or may consist of an entire shovel. In one embodiment, the roof snow shovel includes an elongated handle, a flat or partially flat or partially curved shovel head, and one or more protective end components on one or more ends, sides, or edges of the shovel head. In another embodiment, the roof snow shovel includes a protective bar which may be attached to an edge of a shovel head, or may be proximate to an edge of a shovel head. The protective bar may be substantially cylindrical, substantially planar, or any other shape which may be desirable. The protective bar may be unitary with the shovel head, may be welded to it, may be riveted to it, may be attached by means of adhesive, melting, or press fit, or may be removably attached to it, such as through the use of bolts, screws, pins, light press fits, snap-fits, or other means known in the art.

The method may include the use of a device which may include one or more of the features, steps, or components described herein. Any number of steps or elements may be used in conjunction with the method described, and various means for connections, gripping, storage, collapsing, extension, removability, and protection may be incorporated.

It is to be understood that the above-mentioned steps and features and the steps and features yet to be explained hereinafter can be used not only in the respectively mentioned combinations but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the context or intent of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now disclosed in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 shows a rear isometric view of an embodiment of the roof snow shovel of the present disclosure with a shovel shaft;

FIG. 2 shows a rear isometric view of an embodiment of the roof snow shovel of the present disclosure without a shovel shaft;

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of a protective bar and protective end components of an embodiment of the roof snow shovel of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a protective bar and protective end components of an embodiment of the roof snow shovel of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the embodiment of the protective bar and protective end components of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 shows a rear isometric view of another embodiment of the protective bar and protective end components of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows a rear isometric view of an embodiment of the roof snow shovel of the present disclosure without a shovel shaft;

FIG. 8 shows a rear isometric view of another embodiment of the protective bar and protective end components of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 shows a front isometric view of another embodiment of the roof snow shovel of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 shows a front view of the embodiment of the roof snow shovel of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the roof snow shovel of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 shows a detail view of the side cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the roof snow shovel of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 shows an isometric view of the protective bar of the embodiment of the roof snow shovel of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 shows an alternate isometric view of the protective bar of the embodiment of the roof snow shovel of FIG. 9;

FIG. 15 shows a front view of the protective bar of the embodiment of the roof snow shovel of FIG. 9;

FIG. 16 shows a side view of the protective bar of the embodiment of the roof snow shovel of FIG. 9;

FIG. 17 shows a bottom view of the protective bar of the embodiment of the roof snow shovel of FIG. 9;

FIG. 18 shows an isometric view of a female component of an embodiment of the protective bar of the roof snow shovel of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 shows an alternate isometric view of the female component of the protective bar of the roof snow shovel of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 shows a front view of the female component of the protective bar of the roof snow shovel of FIG. 17;

FIG. 21 shows a side view of the female component of the protective bar of the roof snow shovel of FIG. 17;

FIG. 22 shows an alternate side view of the female component of the protective bar of the roof snow shovel of FIG. 17;

FIG. 23 shows an isometric view of a male component of an embodiment of the protective bar of the roof snow shovel of the present disclosure;

FIG. 24 shows an alternate isometric view of the male component of the protective bar of the roof snow shovel of FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 shows a front view of the male component of the protective bar of the roof snow shovel of FIG. 22;

FIG. 26 shows a side view of the male component of the protective bar of the roof snow shovel of FIG. 22; and

FIG. 27 shows an alternate side view of the male component of the protective bar of the roof snow shovel of FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in the Figures and are explained in the following description in more detail, wherein identical reference numbers refer to identical, or similar, or functionally identical or similar components.

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described using terms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials, steps, and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrative embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features or those previously described are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations, in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the present invention, however the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations need not be performed in the order of presentation. In some instances, structures and devices may be shown in block diagram or flow chart form in order to facilitate describing the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the roof snow shovel 100 of the present disclosure. The device 100 may be used where it may be desirable to remove snow from a surface, such as a roof. The device 100 may also be used where it is desirable to remove or relocate materials on other surfaces, such as on walkways, pathways, roads, and on a range of surface materials, including roofing tiles, slabs, stones, gravel, glass, and protective sheeting, among others. The device 100 may be used to move or remove snow, leaves, stones, sticks, branches, debris, and other materials. The device 100 may be used on substantially planar surfaces, such as roofs, or on curved surfaces, uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones, on decks, boats, or wherever deemed appropriate. The device 100 is especially advantageous where material may need to be removed from a surface, such as a flat or angled roof, while minimizing the risk of damaging the roof, the underlying protective layers, or contacting or damaging additional features on or proximate to the roof, such as skylights, pipes, air conditioning units, antennae, satellite dishes, mounting brackets, bolts, rivets, screws, or associated components or features.

In the embodiment shown, the roof snow shovel 100 includes a handle 101. The handle 101 may include an aluminum or plastic shaft 102, which may be hollow or substantially solid, though other materials and configurations may also be used. The handle 101 may come attached to or unitary with the device 100, or may be permanently or removably attachable to it. The handle 101 itself may be substantially unitary, or may comprise additional components, such as smaller handles or features intended to aid in levering the handle or device when lifting, pulling, or pushing snow or other materials. The handle 101 may include one or more additional components, such as sleeves or sheathes, to aid in gripping the handle or in its use. The handle 101 may also include features, such as ridges, to aid in gripping, moving, or otherwise using the handle 101. The handle 101 may also be substantially or partially extendable, collapsible, or removable in relation to itself or in relation to the roof snow shovel 100.

The device 100 may include a shovel head 104. As shown, the shovel head 104 is substantially rectangular when viewed from the rear of the device, though it should be understood that other shapes may also be used, such as spades, triangles, squares, octagons, hexagons, ellipses, circles, composite shapes, and other shapes known in the art. The shovel head 104 may also include recesses or grooves to aid in sliding along a surface, to aid in moving materials such as snow, such as the snow grooves 105 shown, to reduce weight, to provide additional gripping surfaces, or to minimize contact with snow or structural elements which may commonly be encountered. The shovel head 104 is shown having a substantially curved profile from the side, though it should be understood that other shapes and profiles may also be used without deviation from the scope or intent of this disclosure, such as triangles, rectangles, or substantially flat shovels.

In the embodiment shown, the roof snow shovel 100 includes a protective bar 120 along an edge 106 of the shovel head 104. It should be understood that, though shown attached to the edge 106 of the shovel head 104, the protective bar 120 may be offset but proximate to the edge 106 of the shovel head or at the sides 107 of the shovel head 104, such as to allow some materials to pass between the two, or may be absent entirely. As shown, the protective bar 120 is attached to the shovel head 104 using one or more rivets 130. The protective bar 120 may be attached to the shovel head 104 through other means, such as screws, bolts, adhesive, welding, ultrasonic welding, melting, various forms of press-fits, snap-fits, and interference-fits, and other means known in the art. The protective bar 120 may also not be connected to the shovel head 104 directly, such as where the protective bar 120 is supported by one or more protective end components.

The protective bar 120 may define a substantially longitudinal axis, which may extend substantially along an edge 106 of the shovel head 104. The protective bar 120 may be substantially rigid and may be made of a material such as metal, plastic, hard rubber, or other materials. The protective bar 120 may also be at least partially flexible or deformable, allowing it to have some flexion when contacting objects on a roof or other surface while minimizing damage to those objects, such as when encountering piping on a roof. The protective bar 120 may also be able to flex so as to be able to be connected to or at least partially conform to a range of different shovel head 104 shapes or shovel head edge 106 profiles, such as linear profiles or curved profiles. The protective bar 120 may also be substantially flexible or compressible, allowing a greater degree of protection and give when contacting features on a surface that is being cleared, or so as to slide over or fit along a wider range of shovel heads 104 and shovel head edges 106. The protective bar 120 may also come with markings, indents, slots, or perforations, such as where it may be desirable for a user to cut the protective bar 120 when assembling it to a shovel head 104 or to a desired width more easily.

In one embodiment, the protective bar 120 is substantially cylindrical. It should be understood that the protective bar 120 may have a number of different shapes, such as having a substantially circular, elliptical, rectangular, square, octagonal, or hexagonal cross-section. The cross-section may also be a composite shape, such as a rectangular shape with one or more curved surfaces or corners. Curved surfaces and corners, particular where the protective bar 120 may come into contact with roof or surface structures or materials, may minimize the risk or likelihood of damaging structures or associated materials or features. The protective bar 120 may be substantially hollow or substantially solid, and may include one or more recesses, openings, or slots, such as for receiving an edge of a shovel head. The openings or slots may have different cross-sectional shapes, such as substantially circular, elliptical, rectangular, square, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or composite shapes. The protective bar 120 may include a lip 122, flat, or extension, such as a plate, which may be substantially or partially planar or may be at least partially curved. The plate 122 may provide additional support between the protective bar 120 and the shovel head 104, and may also present a connection surface, such as for riveting the protective bar 120 to the shovel head 104. In one embodiment, the protective bar 120 is 18″ long and the plate 122 extends 1″ away from the surface of the protective bar main body 123, though it should be understood that other lengths and sizes may also be used, such as where a greater or lesser degree of support or connection may be desired, or where different shapes or sizes of shovel heads 104 may be used. The protective bar 120 may be less than 1″ long, may be 1″-72″ long, or may be greater than 72″ long. The protective bar 120 may also extend less than or only a portion of the length of the edge 106 of a shovel head 104, such as proximate to its sides 107 or where multiple protective bars 120 may be desirable. The protective bar 120 may also seat at the sides of an edge 106 of the shovel head 104.

The protective bar 120 may not include a plate 122, or it may include a single protective plate 122, lip, or functionally similar feature or element, where it may be attached to, support, or be supported by the shovel head 104 from only one side. The protective bar 120 may also include more than one plate 122, lip, or functionally similar feature or element, such as where it may be desirable to connect to or come into contact with the shovel head 104 at multiple points, along multiple surfaces, or from more than one side, such as where the plates 122 slide over and at least partially receive an edge 106 of the shovel head 104 into a partial or full slot or similar feature.

In the embodiment shown, the device 100 includes two protective end components 124. It should be understood that no protective end components 124 may be used, only one protective end component 124 may be used, or more protective end components 124 may be present. The protective end components 124 are shown substantially spherical, though they may also include one or more planar surfaces or features such as to aid in interfacing with a protective bar 120, a shovel head edge 106, or a side of a shovel head 104, and may be cylindrical, elliptical or substantially planar, as well as various other shapes and composite shapes. The protective end components 124 may be of any shape which may be desirable, such as spherical, round, square, rectangular, triangular, octagonal, hexagon, or composite shapes. The protective end components 124 may be made of soft or flexible material, allowing for less rounded shapes to be used, but may also be at least partially rigid. The protective end components 124 may be unitary with the protective bar 120, the shovel head 104, or may be permanently attached, removably attached, or rotatably attached. In the embodiment shown, the protective end components 124 are curved along the bottom, which is the side anticipated to come into contact with a roof or roofing materials in some scenarios, so as to minimize the risk of damaging the roof or underlying protective materials or creating a puncture, such as if there were a sharp corner or hard edge. The protective end components 124 may also be rounded on the sides corresponding to, though not necessarily adjacent to, but offset from, the sides 107 of the roof snow shovel device 100 so as to further minimize the risk of damaging structures or materials which may come into contact with the device 100 as snow or other materials are lifted, pushed, or pulled.

The protective end components 124 may thread onto the protective bar 120, may be connected by means of one or more screws, may be bolted on, welded, press-fit, snap-fit, or attached through a number of other means without deviating from the intent and scope of this disclosure. The protective end components 124 may also, or alternatively, be connected to the shovel head 104. The protective end components 124 may be attached to the protective bar 120, the shovel head 104, or the roof snow shovel 100 removably, rotatably, fixedly, permanently, or may be absent entirely.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the roof snow shovel 200 without a shaft 102 or handle 101. A user may attach or remove a handle 101 of their own selection or be able to use a replacement handle. Other devices may also be attached, such as one or more bars to aid in pushing or pulling larger devices, such as ones with longer protective bars. Where the device 200 is attached to a machine, such as a snow plow or snow blower, it may be desirable to not have a handle 101 or shaft 102 component attached to the device 200.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show views of the back and side of an embodiment of the protective bar 320, respectively, showing an embodiment of the protective bar 320 and including two protective end components 324. As shown, the protective bar 320 includes a plurality of attachment and fixation points 325, such as for screwing or riveting the protective bar 320 to a shovel head 104. Such attachment points 125 may come predrilled or punched into materials, such as where the plate 322 is formed of aluminum or other sheet metal. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the protective bar 320 may include more than one plate 322, and may also or alternatively include a slot 321 configured to receive an edge 106 of a shovel head 104. The edge 106 of the shovel head 104, and the shovel head 104 itself, may seat at least partially within the plates 322 or within the slot 321 so as to offer a greater connection surface and a greater degree of support when the roof shovel device 300 is in use.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the protective bar 420 of the present disclosure which includes two protective end components 424. In the embodiment shown, the protective bar 420 includes one plate 422. The plate 422 may be connected to the shovel head 104 from one side, though other embodiments may include features which connect to the shovel head 104 from more than one side. In the embodiment shown, the protective bar 422 may be connected to the shovel head 104 by means of mechanical attachments such as screws or rivets, though it may also or alternatively be attached by means of welding or other means known in the art. The protective bar 420 may also not connect directly to the shovel head 104, but may be supported by it during use, or may not come into contact with it at all. The protective bar 420 may be connected to one or more protective end components 424, which may be connected to the shovel head 104. It should be understood that the protective bar 420 and the protective end components 424 may be separate components which are attached or may be attached to a shovel head 104. However, either the protective bar 420, the one or more protective end components 424, or both, may also be unitary with the shovel head 104. A shovel head 104 itself may include a rounded feature or element which is functionally similar to the protective bar 420 without deviating from the scope or intent of this disclosure. A shovel head 104 itself may include a rounded or curved element or feature which is functionally similar to one or more protective end components 424 without deviating from the scope or intent of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of the roof snow shovel 500 where one or more protective end components 524 are rotatably connected to the protective bar 520. In the embodiment shown, the two protective end components 524 are roller wheels, enabling a user to more easily push or pull the roof snow shovel 500 while maintaining the functionality of the device 500.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the protective bar 620 where the protective bar 620 defines a slot 621 configured to receive an edge 106 of a shovel head 104. The protective bar 620 may be at least partially flexible, so as to be able to flex and compress onto a shovel head 104. The embodiment shown further includes two protective end components 624 which may be attached, such as by threading, onto the protective bar 620. When the one or more protective end components 624 are attached to the protective bar 620, the protective bar 620 is compressed by the attachment of the protective end components 624 so as to hold onto the shovel head 104. In another embodiment, the protective bar 620 may include a rib, lip, or other feature configured to resist translation of the protective bar 620 away from the shovel head 104. The protective bar 620 may be slide over an edge 106 of the shovel head 104, such as along the edge 106 of the shovel head 104 or at least partially along the longitudinal axis of the protective bar 620. When one or more protective end components 624 are attached to either the protective bar 620 or to the shovel head 104, the one or more protective end components 624 may resist translation of the protective bar 620 along the edge 106 of shovel head 104 or may resist translation of the protective bar 620 away from the shovel head 104. The protective bar 620 may also be supported by the one or more protective end components 624 without requiring contact with the shovel head 104 or may be connected to the shovel head 104 by means of one or more protective end component 624 connection means. One or more of the protective end components 624 or the protective bar 620 may also be absent or replaced with a functionally equivalent or similar component or feature of the shovel head 104 or larger roof snow shovel device 600.

FIGS. 9 through 11 show an embodiment of the roof snow shovel device 700 which includes a shovel shaft 702, a small handle 703, a shovel head 704, and a protective bar 720. In the embodiment shown, the protective bar 720 is comprised of two smaller components, which in this embodiment are a female protective bar component 741 and a male protective bar component 742. It should be understood that the female protective bar component 741 and the male protective bar component 742 need not have complimentary male and female features, but may line up with each other, may be attached to the shovel head 704 so as to leave a gap and partial gap in between them, or may connect to each other or to the shovel head 704 through other means. It should also be understood that only one protective bar 720 may be used without multiple components, or more than two components may also be used, without deviating from the intent or scope of this disclosure. In the embodiment shown, the protective bar 720 is connected to the shovel head 704 by means of a plurality of screws, though bolts, rivets, a press-fit, welding, or other means of connection known in the art may also be used. FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the roof snow shovel device 700, while FIG. 12 shows a detail view of one exemplary means of connection of the snow shovel head 704 to the protective bar 720, by means of a slot and screws 730.

FIGS. 13-17 show an isometric view, an alternate isometric view, a front view, a side view, and a bottom view, respectively, of the protective bar 720. The protective bar 720 may be comprised of a female protective bar component 741 and a male protective bar component 742, though it may be comprised of only one component or of three or more components as well. The protective bar 720 may include one or more fixations points 725 and may include a lip or plate feature 722. The protective bar 720 may also, or may alternatively define or include a slot 721 or functionally similar feature, element, or component, such as for receiving an edge 106 of a shovel head 104. The protective bar 720 may include one or more bar ends 726. The protective bar 720 may include one or more protective end features 724. In the embodiment shown, the protective end features 724 extend away from the protective bar 720 so as to be offset from it towards a potential surface which may potentially be shovelled, thus protecting the surface, features on it, or materials from being contacted by the edge 727 of the protective bar 720, or reducing such contact. The edge 727 of the protective bar 720 may be sharp, planar, or be at least partially chamfered or rounded, as shown.

FIGS. 18-22 show an isometric view, and alternate isometric view, a front view, a side view, and an alternate side view of the female protective bar component 741, respectively. The female protective bar component 741 may include an at least partial receiving feature 743 to interface with the male protective bar component 742, though it may also connect to the male protective bar component 742 or directly to the shovel head 704 without any such receiving feature 743. Similarly and complementarily, the male protective bar component, shown in FIGS. 23-27 in isometric, alternate isometric, front, side, and alternate side views, respectively, may include a male connection feature 744. The male connection feature 744 may also be omitted. Though the female connection feature 743 and the male connection feature 744 are shown with a substantially rectangular cross-section, it should be understood that other shapes, including circular, rounded, having keying features, or not having keying features may also be used without deviating from the scope or intent of this disclosure. The female connection feature 743 and the male connection feature 744 may also be sized so as to enable direct contact between the female protective bar component 741 and the male protective bar component 742, or may be sized so as to maintain an at least partial gap between them or so as to allow for attached of the protective bar 720 to a range of sizes of shovel heads 704. It should be understood that, in some embodiments, there may be no male or female components but instead a single unitary piece may be used, or a plurality of component pieces may be used.

While the present invention has been related in terms of the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive on the present invention. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations, combinations, and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the claimed coverage. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective shovel device, comprising: a protective bar unit defining a substantially longitudinal axis, a back surface, and a bottom surface; and at least one protective end component; wherein either the protective bar unit or the at least one protective end component comprises at least one offset surface and further wherein the at least one offset surface is at least partially offset from at least one of the back surface and the bottom surface.
 2. The protective shovel device according to claim 1, further wherein the at least one offset surface extends at least partially away from the protective bar unit perpendicular to the substantially longitudinal axis.
 3. The protective shovel device according to claim 2, further wherein the at least one protective end component is substantially spherical.
 4. The protective shovel device according to claim 2, further wherein the at least one protective end component is rotatably connected to the protective bar unit.
 5. The protective shovel device according to claim 2, further wherein the protective bar unit is configured to be connected to a shovel head.
 6. The protective shovel device according to claim 2, further wherein the at least one protective end component is configured to be connected to a shovel head.
 7. The protective shovel device according to claim 5, further wherein the protective bar unit comprises at least one substantially planar feature configured to be connected to the shovel head.
 8. The protective shovel device according to claim 5, further wherein the protective bar unit defines at least one opening configured to receive at least part of an edge of the shovel head.
 9. The protective shovel device according to claim 5, further wherein the protective bar unit is at least partially flexible relative to the substantially longitudinal axis.
 10. The protective shovel device according to claim 8, further wherein the protective shovel device defines at least one connection opening configured for attaching the protective shovel device to a shovel head.
 11. A protective shovel device, comprising: a substantially elongated body defining a first substantially longitudinal axis; a shovel head; an elongated protective unit defining a second substantially longitudinal axis; and at least one protective end component; wherein the substantially elongated body is connected to the shovel head, and further wherein at least one of the elongated protective unit or the at least one protective end component is connected to the shovel head.
 12. The protective shovel device according to claim 11, further wherein at least one of the elongated protective unit or the at least one protective end component is removably connected to shovel head.
 13. The protective shovel device according to claim 12, further wherein the at least one protective end component comprises a surface which extends away from the shovel head and the elongated protective unit relative to the first substantially longitudinal axis.
 14. The protective shovel device according to claim 13, further wherein the surface is at least partially curved.
 15. The protective shovel device according to claim 13, further wherein the at least one protective end component comprises a surface which is at least partially offset from the shovel head.
 16. The protective shovel device according to claim 15, further wherein the at least one protective end component comprises an edge which is at least partially rounded.
 17. The protective shovel device according to claim 16, further wherein the elongated protective unit defines an opening configured to receive at least part of an edge of a shovel head.
 18. The protective shovel device according to claim 17, further wherein the elongated protective unit defines at least one opening configured to receive a connection means for connecting the elongated protective unit to the shovel head.
 19. A method of using a protective shovel device, comprising: connecting an elongated protective unit and at least one protective end component to a shovel head; and removing unwanted material from a substantially planar surface; wherein the at least one protective end component comprises at least one offset surface which is distal from the elongated protective unit relative to the shovel head.
 20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising connecting the at least one protective end component to the elongated protective unit and connecting a combination of the elongated protective unit and the at least one protective end component to the shovel head by means of the elongated protective unit such that an edge of the shovel head is either proximate to or in contact with the elongated protective unit. 